When the last sympathisers were gone, Lottie went to her bedroom to pack and Sarah followed, wanting to do something to mitigate her pain. There were no words she could say, but she stayed to offer the touch of her hand, the taking and folding of a garment to put into the suitcase – small acts of service that might demonstrate her love. Lottie tried to smile as she closed her bag.

‘I’ve begged Hannah to come with me, but she doesn’t even seem to hear me,’ she said. ‘Although it may be better this way, because I don’t know how I will deal with Janni’s sorrow. I’m afraid of what this will do to him.’ She sat down suddenly on the bed. ‘My God, it’s so futile. It’s all so futile and senseless. What did we struggle for, through all those years? What were we building that my son should have died for it, while I have to live on? For what, Sarah?’

‘I don’t know, Lottie. I can’t think how we will go on, or live through days that begin and end without him. I don’t know how I can get through tonight or watch the sun rise tomorrow. But Hannah and Jan need you, and maybe you can find a purpose in that.’

‘Hannah has locked herself away,’ Lottie said. ‘She’s angry with me for leaving her, for choosing Janni over her. I suppose it’s a part of coping with death, to be angry. But I have to go and I don’t think I can ever come back, while she has chosen to stay. We are on two sides of a divide that neither of us can cross. Perhaps it will heal in time, but for now I am asking you to take care of her, for as long as you are here. I love my daughter more than I can ever make her understand. But there is too much pain in this place. I don’t believe I could ever find peace at Langani again. Not ever.’

She rose, and walked with Sarah to the sitting room, where Hannah was staring into the fire, a glass of brandy untouched on the table beside her.

‘Come with me, Hannah,’ Lottie whispered, holding her one last time. ‘Come away from here, my dear. For a little while, until we decide what to do with the farm.’

Hannah answered without hesitation, unsmiling and distant. ‘I’ve already decided, Ma. I will not leave Langani. I have to carry on for Piet. So that they cannot destroy what we have built here. They will not drive me off our land.’